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Sprint's Starting Gun Goes Off on May 9

M. D. Anderson Ovarian Cancer Research Program Benefits from Event

M. D. Anderson News Release 04/28/09

The 12th annual Sprint for Life 5K Run/Walk and Sprint for Sprouts Kids' Runs, benefiting the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, will be held Saturday, May 9 in the Texas Medical Center.

The 5K Run/Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Sprint for Sprouts non-competitive races for children 12 years and younger beginning at 9 a.m. The first race is the Tot Trot for children three years and younger, who will run about 150 feet. The second race is the 1K for all children 12 years and under who want to run the full race.

The event will include a post-race party with a presentation and awards ceremony, music, food and children's games and activities. A reception area will be available for ovarian cancer survivors and their family members.

For the first time, Sprint for Life will offer a competitive 5K run using a disposable timing tag attached to the runners' shoes. Times for the non-competitive run/walk and Sprint for Sprouts will not be recorded. The start line for all the races is located near the Mays Ambulatory Clinical Building at 1200 Holcombe, and the route works around the periphery of the Texas Medical Center

Early registration fees (with online registration closing May 6) are: $28 for the 5K competitive Run; $25 for the 5K non-competitive Run/Walk and $15 for Sprint for Sprouts.

For caregivers, patients, survivors, family members and friends who want to support ovarian cancer research at M. D. Anderson but who cannot participate in the event, there is an opportunity to "Sprint in Spirit." For a $50 donation, "Spirit Sprinters" will receive a t-shirt, shoelaces and race number and have their names posted on the event's Spirit Board.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program at M. D. Anderson. In its 11 years, Sprint for Life has raised more than $2 million for the program's innovative ovarian cancer research.

Judith Wolf, M.D., professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, founded the Sprint for Life in 1998. This year's race is co-chaired by Marcy E. Kurtz and Marcy L. Rothman and honorary co-chairs are Eddy Scurlock Blanton, Sr. and his wife, Kelli Blanton. Laura Lee Scurlock Blanton and Sandra G. Davis are the courageous women for whom M. D. Anderson's ovarian cancer research program is named.

Sprint for Life is presented by Randall's, The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation and The Carol Zarrow Memorial Fund.

To register for the race and to learn more about Sprint for Life, please go to www.mdanderson.org/sprintforlife or contact the Sprint office at 713/792-2765. 04/28/09